Foods that lower cholesterol

I have taken statins to lower my cholesterol. Decreased
libido was one of the many side effects I experienced. As things happen
gradually, I hadn't fully taken note of how my normal nighttime
erections had virtually ceased.

I figured my lack of sexual interest was due to getting older. My wife felt I wasn't as interested in her anymore.

During the first week after I stopped the statin, I
had a sexual awakening like I was a teenager again. I didn't realise
how far I had deteriorated until my libido came roaring back.

The journal of sexual medicine reports on research
confirming that statins reduce testosterone and actually contribute to a
decrease in the size of the testicles known as hypogonadism.

This comes as no surprise as most hormones have a high
cholesterol component, so drugs reducing it are likely to
interfere with normal testosterone production.

It remains unexplained but
this probably is also the underlying cause of a higher rate of violent
death in persons taking statins as compared to those using natural methods to
lower their cholesterol.

Can cholesterol drugs (statins) lower your sex drive?

Erectile dysfunction

Statins like lipitor and lovastatin do contribute to sexual
difficulties like erectile dysfunction, and research confirms it; foods that lower cholesterol are an entirely safe way to reestablish normal levels. An article in Drug Safety July
1, 2009, concludes as follows.

Despite some limitations in the research methods, this study suggests that statins may induce or
increase ED in keeping with other research.

CHOLESTEROL - a personal journey of discovery of foods that lower cholesterol

When you love fatty meat and butter as much as I do, and have an
instinctive dislike for hydrogenated foods, especially margarine, you
are faced with two options:

Give up your love of animal fat, or

Accept that foods that lower cholesterol are not an option; they are compulsory.

Taking statins may be the third option for you, but I refuse
to start down that road. My sexuality, severe tingling in arms and hands and legs and a host of other factors are
too important to me.

My mother tried to turn me into a vegetarian but from a very young age my love of red meat was too strong. But mothers are not always totally stupid. Eventually I realised that I would have to balance my love of red meat with those foods that lower cholesterol; or perish long before my time.

And so began my personal search for a healthy blood cholesterol
profile, without denying my love of food. And without swallowing pills
to lower cholesterol.

For me it's not been difficult. I continue to pig out on butter
and mutton; in the Netherlands, personally I don't like the beef and
pork. As someone South African born, I've been spoilt rotten with the choice of free range meat available and
rich Dutch cheeses do tickle my fancy.

Avoid corn fed beef; it raises the omega 6 to omega 3 ratio and that
means inflammation in your body. More work for your chiropractor and
cardiologist and more pain for you. Cows are meant to eat grass.

But I've added foods that lower cholesterol to our
mutton stew, so that I can continue to indulge myself! Sheep in Holland do roam the polders. And so my
cholesterol is now dangerously low! I'm joking of course, but it's well
within normal limits; 164 mg per dl or, in standard European units, 4.2 mmol per L. Anything below 200 is
good.

Foods that lower cholesterol

Foods that lower cholesterol questions whether you've been suffering from erectile dysfunction since taken statins? You're not alone.

"I have now ditched all my medication except Omeprazole and Dispersible Aspirin - so much better not being on statins. Seems like I have been in a sort of prison for two years, and it's good to be out! We like to exercise along the beachfront prom where it's as flat as a pancake. If the weather's good it can be a pleasant pastime."

1. APPLE DIET

Foods that lower cholesterol

It's no old wives' tale that an apple-a-day-keeps-the-doctor-away.
Research confirms that eating 2-3 apples per day (including the apple
skins) reduces the toxic LDL in the blood by 10%. To some extent this is
probably true of all fruit. EAT MORE FRUIT.
APPLE DIET ... raw, or even cooked.

2. OMEGA-3

Foods that lower cholesterol

There is now overwhelming evidence that the omega-3 oils in fatty
fish, walnuts and freshly ground flaxseeds have a healthy effect on your LDL cholesterol (Low density lipoprotein), that
which has a dangerous effect on blood vessels, whilst not lowering the
healthy friendly High density lipoproteins (HDLs). Walnuts blood pressure ... rich in omega-3.

Mackerel recipes ... salmon, herring... even recipes for mussels ... are all extremely high in
antioxidants that prevent cancer, which get some bad press have less
than half the cholesterol of red meat that's been trimmed of all fat. We
recommend recipes for mussels highly, but do use only fresh mussels...

Omega-3, there's a downside to this very powerful anti-oxidant. It is itself very rapidly oxidised. That's why fish goes "off" so quickly. The omega-3 fat is rapidly oxidised. So does the omega-3 in flax seeds. Eat them fresh, and don't take the oil except in softgels. Better still eat fatty fish and grind your own seeds daily; one and a third of freshly ground flaxseed is more effective that statins in keeping your cholesterol down.(1)

Interesting research reveals that you can by dietary means and some lifestyle changes achieve even better results than with a commonly prescribed statin. Read about it at red yeast rice if you're interested.

"Nature is relentless and unchangeable, and it is indifferent as to whether its hidden reasons and actions are
understandable to man or not."

Galileo (16th century)

What does the research have to say?

Ann Intern Med (August 3, 2010).

Researchers divided 300 odd seriously obese people with an average BMI of 36 into two groups who followed two quite different diets:

Low-fat diet

Low-carb diet

Both groups lost a similar amount of weight; 18kg over two
years. But in every other respect the low carb group did better; they experienced lower blood pressure, lower LDL cholesterol, lower triglycerides levels,
and most important a raised beneficial cholesterol, HDL, astonishingly
23% better.

The controversial Banting diet, sometimes called Paleo diet, is based on very low carbohydrate.

3. EGGPLANT RECIPES

Foods that lower cholesterol

Formerly, the consequences of raised cholesterol were not understood
but now the hidden benefits and actions of many foods are well
understood, and behoves us to take note... or else, nature is
unforgiving.

The eggplant / aubergine / brinjal fruit has dramatic
cholesterol-lowering properties. Researchers in Brazil are trying to
develop an extract to make into a drug, but isn't it more sensible to
indulge in delicious EGGPLANT RECIPES ...

The good news is that a glass of red wine a day reduces blood
cholesterol. However, if you're a non-drinker, I wouldn't start with red
wine. There are dangers associated with alcohol, just as there are with
cholesterol. But if you do enjoy a sundowner, and have a cholesterol problem then CHOLESTEROL ALCOHOLis part of the foods that lower cholesterol solution.

Remember though that there's strong research confirming that three or more drinks per day is a major cause of stomach cancer.

STATINS in High Risk prevention

Statins have been proven to reduce the risk of mortality among patients with a known history of cardiovascular illness.

However, there is no proven certainty that cholesterol lowering medication has a similar benefit in those high risk patients (who are obese and smoke for example) who have no history of coronary heart disease.

This meta analysis of the available literature did not find any evidence concerning the benefit of statin therapy on mortality in persons with no prior history of coronary heart disease.

Archives of Internal Medicine, September 2010.

In short, there is no proven benefit of taking statins if you have no history of cardiovascular disease, even if your cholesterol is raised. That does not mean there is no necessity to get your cholesterol levels within given norms, just that statins won't help prevent sudden death.

5. EXERCISE AND CHOLESTEROL

And cholesterol is of course also reduced by exercise. Considering
walking benefits is surely a better option than risking Erectile
Dysfunction and tingling in arms and hands and legs, the other common side effect of Statins.

Walking has 10 000 benefits. For women in fear of osteoporosis only? But which of us thought it
would save men from the most awful of afflictions, loss of libido. A
bicycle, the swimming pool... choose something. It'll help your back
too, reduce the chance of causes of osteoporosis, less depression; there are incredible
proven benefits of exercise in general, and WALKING BENEFITS in particular.

Oats is listed high up there amongst those foods that lower
cholesterol - proven. If you love butter like I do, then you really have no
option. Oats, I have it every day, like my back exercises, I NEVER miss.
Just a cheap muesli will do. One without sugar. Of course add fruit in season and nuts. Add some boiling water and allow to stand for five minutes.

If you are on a low carbohydrate diet, then just one or two tablespoons of oats is adequate. Honey interestingly doesn't cause an insulin rush; it's not fattening, but in moderation of course. Just one teaspoon. Raw honey if you can find it.

Taking a short ten minute walk after a starchy meal will prevent your blood glucose going into orbit.

7. Chickpeas

Hummus is relatively high in healthy fat because of the olive oil and
sesame paste but, because of its high soluble fibre and sterols
content, it's listed up there with the other super foods that lower
cholesterol.

In any case, it's refined starches that raise cholesterol, not fat.

There's really no need to worry about the calories in hummus, and if you
do, then make it yourself, but use less olive oil and a little water so it's not too stodgy. It only takes 4
minutes to make; of course, preparing the garbanzo beans or chickpeas
takes a little longer.

Well, to be honest, you have to locate two ingredients that you'll need. One is sesame seed, or sesame paste as it's called; the other is cumin. Read about it at our authentic hummus recipe page.

You can buy chickpeas in cans but for a quarter of the price you'll find that pressure cooking them is a breeze; it reduces the time from nearly two hours to twenty minutes; saving you time and the environment by using less energy.

The garbanzo bean is the most popular legume in the whole world.
It's no coincidence, and we too should be eating them regularly. They
are a dirt cheap form of protein, and second on the list of super foods that lower cholesterol.

There are many benefits from taking ten minutes to make hummus every week. They are high in fibre, and so your colon will bless you. Substituting some of our red meat with plant protein reduces breast and prostate cancer, the nastiest way to die. Less cardiovascular disease, lower blood pressure and less stroke. Need I go on?

Because the oils in hummus go rancid so quickly, food companies add large amounts of preservatives that ruin the flavour. Make your own, but not too much so you can finish it in three days.

Freeze the rest of your chickpeas; then they are ready for immediate use.

Personally, I make hummus twice a week, so easy. If you make it regularly, this canned vs dried chickpeas costing may be of interest.

Quick hummus

Fatty food has become something of a swear word in today's obese
world, but the truth is that you can't live without fat. Cut out the
fat, and you risk getting the serious neurological diseases like Lou
Gehrig's disease. Your nerves are coated with fat, and your brain is 60%
fat. Few symptoms more worrying that tingling in arms and hands and legs...

But get most of your fat from:

Fatty fish like salmon and mackerel.

Two fruits: the olive and the avocado.

Nuts, and especially the Walnut. Pecans are great but less rich in omega-3 than walnuts.

Shell your own pecans. Learn how... it's all about natural living. Health doesn't come out of a bottle from the health food store. Certainly it comes from whole, natural foods that lower cholesterol ... amongst a host of other things, of course. Body, mind and spirit...

These are the foods that are high in Mono Unsaturated Fatty Acids and Omega-3. These are the fats that will keep you healthy.

Oats, fruit, and especially apples. A big salad 4-5 times a week.
HELENS 15 EURO SALAD ... it saved my life of misery from constipation.

Olives and avocado, olive oil.

Walnuts, almonds, nuts in general,

flax seed.

That, or pills, or a high risk of a stroke or heart attack. Take
your pick. I find these foods delic, and we eat them EVERY WEEK. And
hence, despite my addiction to butter and fatty meat, my total
cholesterol is a paltry 164. Yours could be too without statin pills with all their nasty side effects.

What are normal cholesterol blood levels?

Surprisingly even the experts haven't come to an agreement. Drug
companies naturally want much lower "normal" levels, so they can promote
their statins and their profits.

As a rule of thumb,

your total cholesterol should be
lower than 200 (5.1). But if you are a smoker, and don't exercise, have a
family history of heart disease, have high blood pressure... then
perhaps 170 should be the goal.

Your LDL cholesterol should be below 100 (2.6).

Your HDL cholesterol (the protective one) should be above 50 (1.3).

Your triglycerides (from sugar and alcohol) should be less than 150 (1.7)

Why is HDL the good cholesterol?

HDL cholesterol extracts the plaque clogging your arteries and
returns it to the liver where it is disposed as bile in the faeces. So
you want to aim for HIGH values of HDL.

A high HDL cholesterol level (above 50 (1.3)) is strongly
associated with lower heart disease and less atherosclerosis. Eat more
walnuts, fish, exercise more, and yes you've heard it again and again,
don't smoke. It will kill you, you know, about 10 years on average
before your time. Just after you retire; fourteen years lost if you are obese and smoke.

What is the total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol ratio?

Statisticians, those people who run our lives!, have discovered that
dividing your total cholesterol (hopefully less than 200) by the HDL
cholesterol (more than 50) gives a very useful indicator of your risk
profile.
So 200/50 = 4. Anything BELOW 4 is good. Keep the 200 down, and
the 50 up. Then you'll have a good total cholesterol / HDL ratio.

Lies, damn lies and Statins

In 2004 a panel of so-called medical experts recommended that the safe
level of Low Density cholesterol should be lowered from 130 to 100
mg/dL, and for those at high risk of heart and blood vessel disease as
low as 70.

Whether or not their recommendations had merit...

Conflict of interest

However, one newspaper did its homework and, guess what, most of the
physicians involved in the decision to lower the level of "safe"
cholesterol had a conflict of interest. Almost all of them had received
honorariums or grants from the drug companies whilst involved in their
research.

Worse, they did not disclose their financial involvement with
the drug companies. Something stank in the State of Denmark... and many
people are still taking statins unnecessarily.

Think rather of a change of lifestyle; increasing the fish in
your diet, eating more salad and fruit, changing to olive oil... none of
these are painful. Start taking a walk. An apple a day is still good
advice; it's so simple; munch one on the way to work instead of swallowing a pill that could make you impotent.

Baking your own loaf and conducting bread experiments is another way to get whole grains and better health; it's fun too and takes only five minutes each day.

The heart stroke diabetes research confirms that nearly a half of these serious diseases are entirely due it dietary factors; like not enough seeds and whole grains.

Tingling in arms and hands

Tingling in arms and hands is apparently one side effect of statins. Consider rather foods that lower cholesterol.

Correspondence:

Hi. I have for the past 2 years had odd sensations of aching and tingling in arms and hands. This is usually followed by a fuzzy
type feeling which sometimes is felt in just the body but mostly affects
my head as well. Almost like a want to faint kind of feeling. I usually
feel quite ill after. Nauseous and just quite yuk in general.

I have had numerous tests over the past couple of years and
currently waiting to see a neurologist. Because I have osteo arthritis
in parts of my spine, the doctors I have seen seem to think my condition
stems from that.

All I know is that it scares the hell out of me at times and
quite frankly I don`t know how long I can put up with it. Attacks just
occur wherever, whenever, but usually the worst ones are in the evening.
It is almost a daily experience now and i have had enough.
Any help would really be appreciated.

I replied making various suggestions, none of which included thoughts about a drug reaction.

Just received:

Hi. I have discovered that all of my symptoms have gone
away; the reason? I am apparently allergic to Lipitor. I am
on a different medication now and I feel a new person. Thanks.

Beetroot

All of the high fibre foods help to lower cholesterol; beetroot has the added benefit of supply copious amounts of iron, particularly important for the menstruating woman. Also, in my book it's top of the pops in dealing with constipation. Pickled beets recipes are really a piece of cake, if you can get fresh beetroot. What is betaine you are probably asking? The phytochemical that helps prevent inflammation, always important to the chiropractor and cardiologist; and their patients, of course!

How is this relevant on a Chiropractic site?

Have you any idea how long this patient had been suffering with leg pain, and how many doctors he had consulted? Read this sample chapter from Stones in my Clog, my third book of Chiropractic anecdotes. Walk with me through the polders of Holland, and meet Mr Herveille, a man with a problem that no one could diagnose. Severe pain in the right leg when he walked and cycled.

If you enjoy, buy the book! Only $2.99 on your Kindle, smartphone or tablet. No more wasted hours standing in queues and travelling.

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